Posts

What happened in the Conclave?

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A report from Ines San Martin provides some insight into what led Cardinal Prevost to choose the name Leo XIV. She got some intel into it from Chilean Cardinal Fernando Chomali, who just happened to share a dinner table with the Pope, soon after the 267th Successor of Saint Peter was introduced to the world:   Chilean Cardinal Fernando Chomalí described the conclave that elected Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as Pope Leo XIV as a profoundly spiritual and joyful experience, rooted in prayer and unity. "It was a very impressive ecclesial, spiritual and human experience," Cardinal Chomalí told OSV News on May 9. "I have no idea why, but I felt like I was carrying all of Chile in my heart, in my mind, even in my skin." Cardinal Chomalí, the archbishop of Santiago and Chile's only voting cardinal, said the weight of helping to elect the successor of Peter left him deeply moved. "You become aware of the responsibility of helping name the successor of Peter,...

Pope Francis: Death of a Tyrant

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  Twelve years of an abusive papacy have ended and the relief among faithful Catholics is palpable. The world's media response is to wax lyrical about his humility and mercy, demonstrating both that they were not paying attention and that the Argentinian's efforts to disguise the Catholic Church's moral and social teaching was well received and successful amongst the secular mainstream. “If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world—therefore the world hates you." (John 15:18 f ). The world LOVED Pope Francis. They loved that he was, at best, ambivalent, at worst, dead set against, Catholic teaching and morality and particularly sexual morality, which it felt like he never shut up about, constantly talking about LGBTQ, transgenderism, etc etc and not in a good way, in a way that hinted that the Church...

Why are we seeing an explosion of new Catholics?

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A Catholic Resurgence in France: Tradition as a Beacon Amid Multicultural Challenges In a striking development, France is witnessing a record-breaking surge in conversions to Catholicism , with 17,800 catechumens—10,384 adults and over 7,400 young people aged 11 to 17—set to be baptised during the Easter Vigil on April 19, 2025. This represents a 48% increase in adult baptisms compared to 2024, marking the highest figures since the French Bishops’ Conference began tracking such data in 2002. Archbishop Olivier de Germay of Lyon describes this not as a fleeting trend but a “dynamic,” a “sign from Heaven” that points to a deeper spiritual reawakening. Simultaneously, across Europe, particularly in nations like France, Sweden, and Norway, young people are increasingly drawn to traditional Catholicism, a phenomenon that stands in stark contrast to the cultural and political currents of globalism and multiculturalism. This resurgence underscores the enduring appeal of Catholic tradition and...

More Bishops Like This Please Lord!

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Watch this from The Most Rev. Erik Varden, Bishop of Trondheim, Norway. I am increasingly aware of his quality. More bishops like this please Lord! Here he presents “Living with Wounds: The Passion in Theology and in Our Lives,” with an introduction by Bishop Kevin Rhoades. This event was sponsored by the McGrath Institute for Church Life, the de Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture, and the Department of Theology at the University of Notre Dame.

Calvin Robinson Loses his License in the USA

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In this conversation, Katherine Bennett, Mark Lambert, and Gavin Ashenden discuss the recent cancellation of Anglican clergyman Calvin Robinson following his controversial speech at the National Pro-Life Summit. They explore the implications of his license revocation, the cultural backlash surrounding his use of humour, and the broader intersection of faith and politics. The discussion highlights the need for mentorship within the clergy and critiques the church's response to political advocacy, emphasizing the importance of strong voices in the pro-life movement.

Bishop Eleganti Critiques Synodality's Shift from Christ-Centred Proclamation to Organisational Focus

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Bishop Marian Eleganti, a Swiss Catholic bishop and member of the Benedictine Order, is the latest prelate to express concerns regarding the current direction of the Catholic Church, particularly in relation to the concept of synodality and its implications under Pope Francis' pontificate (you can find his blog here in German and Italian). Bishop Eleganti's Article has four main themes: Synodality and Its Emphasis: Bishop Eleganti acknowledges the value of consultation and mutual listening within the Church. However, he critiques the current emphasis on synodality, suggesting that it has become a central focus overshadowing the Church's primary mission of proclaiming Jesus Christ. He points out that discussions often centre around organisational structures and inclusivity, rather than the core message of salvation through Christ. This allegation of introspection has been levelled at Pope Francis numerous times now, and the clear direction he has chosen to travel seems sta...

Professor Tina Beattie’s Theology and Episcopal Inconsistencies

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ABOVE: Picture of Bishop Alan Williams attending the Tina Beattie lecture at Newhall and featured on the website of the Canonesses of the Holy Sepulchre Introduction: Faithful Dialogue or Dissent? Professor Tina Beattie is a prominent Catholic personality and has been for many years. She is a regular contributor to Radio 4's Thought for the Day and is an active novelist and commentator with a special focus on women's issues. However, despite her notoriety, her theological positions often spark significant controversy within the Catholic community, particularly due to her public dissent from established Church teachings. The Catholic Church’s teaching on moral and social issues is not hastily formed opinion, but rather an organic synthesis of divine Revelation from sacred Scripture, a rich and nuanced Tradition shaped over 2,000 years, and the wisdom of the Magisterium—a living authority that has grappled with complex questions across centuries. Any approach that disregards th...